California children will not be losing their Healthy Families coverage thanks to the implementation of Assembly Bill 1422. Over 600,000 children were going to be disenrolled starting October 1st, due to a lack of funding. Currently, there are 71,000 children on the waiting list since enrollment was frozen in Mid-July. Parents and guardians can breathe a sigh of relief, however, as this affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage will remain in place.
This bill works in numerous ways to utilize taxes, donations, and cost sharing to avoid dropping children from the program. First, the First 5 California Commission, which oversees children’s health and educational programs via tobacco tax revenues, has offered to contribute more than $81 million. An additional $17.6 million is expected to be raised by implementing higher premiums for those above the poverty level, and raising copaymentsfor ER room visits, doctor office co pays, and prescription co pays. Health plans that administrators Medi-Cal benefits would see a 2.35% tax. This levy will replace the current 5.5% fee, which is expected to expire in October.
With all of the above and more, let’s hope this eases the financial burden on this program, and avoids having any child go without the coverage they need.
Tags: children's health, health insurance, preventative care
